Except for that time when we actually had enlisted members. We actually had both enlisted and NCO for regular “off the street” members. People like radio technicians, guard personnel, base support staff, and others were enlisted. Commanders, pilots, and some staff (such as wing staff) were officers.

I say we just convert all CAP officers to NCOs. Commanders and deputy commanders may remain officer while serving in that position. SM without grade become Airmen. All other staff remain NCOs. Lt Col’s become SMSgt, Maj become MSgt, Capt become TSgt, 1st Lt become SSgt, and 2d Lt become SrA (I know not an NCO). CMSgt is reserved for special appointment, such as specific NHQ staff or former commanders.

Actually, this sounds very reasonable. Officers should be highly trained, professional and rare. I am not "anti-officer", I just think having so many affects our credibility, and doesn't really give us a realistic command structure.

An all-enlisted/ NCO structure would give us a functioning structure more like ES and law enforcement, and would improve our image with the general public, regular services and especially the Air Force.

An all-enlisted/ NCO structure would give us a functioning structure more like ES and law enforcement, and would improve our image with the general public, regular services and especially the Air Force.

Don’t forget that the chiefs of 20-officer departments often wear multiple stars. Following that analogy, our squadron commanders should be 4-star generals .

The moment any commander or staff member considers themselves a gatekeeper, instead of a facilitator, they have failed at their job.I can't fix all of CAP's problems, but I can lead from the bottom by building my squadron as a center of excellence to serve as an example of what every unit can be.

Several years ago, when the CAP Command Chief Eldridge announced that there was a "New" NCO program, I was excited. But it took almost 5 years before CAPR 35-5 and CAPM 20-1 were updated to reflect the duties and promotion requirements of the NCO Corps. We still don't have a separate training courses to differentiate from the Officer training. After 28 years as an Lt Col, I see no advantage to changing from one non-promotable grade to another non-promotable grade (E-8). Not to mention the extremely high cost of grade insignia, new enlisted jacket, cap, and mess dress.

To have an effective NCO program, CAP as a whole has to have a complete program with clear deliniation between Officer and NCO roles, an accession program for bringing in non-prior service members as enlisted, and a specific training program. Otherwise it's assinine to have a program where trained military professionals are subordinate to the newest members of this organization.

CAP erred greatly in bringing out the NCO program before it was viable with Regulations in print, traiing programs, leadership support, and a lot of lead time that has now been converted to lag time (5 years and counting).

There is a big push right now to re-evaluate all of our professional development programs. They have a ton of working groups running at the national level on a variety of topics. I have no idea if they are working on something separate for NCOs or if they've even identified why a NCOs training would be different than any other volunteer, but I do know these types of projects take a *ton* of time.

There is a big push right now to re-evaluate all of our professional development programs. They have a ton of working groups running at the national level on a variety of topics. I have no idea if they are working on something separate for NCOs or if they've even identified why a NCOs training would be different than any other volunteer, but I do know these types of projects take a *ton* of time.

On this there has been 5+ years of committee and working groups. Time on this could be better spent on other projects.

On this there has been 5+ years of committee and working groups. Time on this could be better spent on other projects.

Fair point and I should have been more specific. Since our latest national commander came into office, he started a number of working groups, one of which is a complete evaluation and update to our professional development program, something that has been needed for many, many years. All of the groups are moving at typical CAP speed, so like I said, these projects will take a very long time to accomplish (that's not a dig, it's a reality). Perhaps those that more closely follow the inner workings of NHQ can comment on if the PD working group is breaking it out as NCO/Officer or if we're all being treated as the same type of volunteer.

All the committees, working groups, and mental gymnastics will not change the fact that without a wholesale reboot, one which is likely to cause much more harm then good, there is no reason or function to try and shoe-horn an "enlisted" structure into an organizaiton which already has too many fiefdomsand "special classes", and can't even fulfill its manning tables, let alone its mission mandates.

"But...but...officers are broken too...", blah blah.

Another instance of the "Flat Tire Axiom".

In this case, you don't fix a flat tire by nailing an additional flat tire to the side of the car.

I'm thinking full scale reboot going back to the Congressional Charter. Might be time for a rewrite. We aren't looking for submarines anymore.

If I remember seeing the numbers correctly, in 2017, only 2.8% of the airplane flying hours were on actual SAR missions. We spend a heck of a lot more time working with FEMA and other such non-military type organizations, that maybe its time to start looking at their structure.

Yes, to go non-military would mean a huge loss of membership, but would be temporary, as recruitment would be easier with newer generations of volunteers.

If I remember seeing the numbers correctly, in 2017, only 2.8% of the airplane flying hours were on actual SAR missions. We spend a heck of a lot more time working with FEMA and other such non-military type organizations, that maybe its time to start looking at their structure.

If I remember seeing the numbers correctly, in 2017, only 2.8% of the airplane flying hours were on actual SAR missions. We spend a heck of a lot more time working with FEMA and other such non-military type organizations, that maybe its time to start looking at their structure.

The moment any commander or staff member considers themselves a gatekeeper, instead of a facilitator, they have failed at their job.I can't fix all of CAP's problems, but I can lead from the bottom by building my squadron as a center of excellence to serve as an example of what every unit can be.

The coolest thing about CAP is if you don't like it, you don't have to do it. I'm not a fan of the NCO program, so I choose not to go that route. If you're against wearing military style uniforms, go for the polo option. If you're not a fan of the officer rank structure, simply avoid it. Or, I guess we could rip any and all aspects of CAP apart and contribute absolutely nothing.

The fact is, the officer rank structure is what it is, like it or not. The NCO program doesn't seem to be very stable, so it'll either succeed or fail, but it's kind of like politics, don't push on me or others. Offer the options and let people choose.

I just spent the weekend at a wing event. Almost 100 people of all shapes, sizes, grooming, and every uniform option imaginable, even some I haven't seen before. You know what? Who cares? If someone didn't like the fact that I was wearing ABUs, I couldn't tell. Or if someone was a rank hater, no one said a word. People flew, talked on radios, attended classes, and ate a lot of donuts....like A LOT. All good, all fun, and we accomplished a lot.

I just don't understand why people tend to waste their time and energy bashing a program or process no one is forcing them to partake in.

The coolest thing about CAP is if you don't like it, you don't have to do it. I'm not a fan of the NCO program, so I choose not to go that route. If you're against wearing military style uniforms, go for the polo option.

^^^ This. Yes, please. If the "uniform police" would agree with that, everything would be so much happier. But alas, there are always those who want to gripe at others for feeling differently. If we could just weed those folks out.